ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — Although perhaps the shortest competitor in the 58kg division, Jacinta "Ja" Sumagaysay stood among the giants in Asian weightlifting, cementing her place in history by setting three Guam national records, according to coach Edgar Molinos.

Sumangaysay's lifts of 68 kilograms in the snatch and 90 kilograms in the clean and jerk, plus the 158-kilogram total at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan, are all national records in her weight class, said Molinos.

"Oh my gosh, it was so nerve-wracking," said Sumagaysay, following her event here today at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan. "I'm so overwhelmed. It was such an honor to go out there and represent my island. I'm so in shock!"

It was a big payoff for Sumagaysay, who dropped down one weight class, having to lose about 18 pounds in a month. She’s now ranked No. 8 in her weight class in Asia.

At the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan.Jacinta "Ja" Sumagaysay set three Guam national weightlifting records.(Photo: Jojo Santo Tomas/PDN)

Her total weight of 158 kilograms was far below the gold medal total of China's Xiomin Luo, who lifted 100 kilograms in the snatch, 122 kilograms in the clean and jerk for a 222-kilogram total. Muattar Nabieva of Uzbekistan won silver.

Sumagaysay said she was inundated with text messages of love and support from friends and family. Those messages came in a deluge even while she prepared for her lifts.

"I felt so much support, even from the crowd. It was such an awesome experience to see my fellow athletes her to support me," she said. I felt great. I felt so ... loved."

Taekwondo

Meanwhile, in the 58kg class in taekwondo, there wasn’t much Leon Chargualaf Ho could do against his opponent from Uzbekistan.

Leon Chargualaf Ho, in red headgear, lost to Shivam Sudesh Shetty of Indonesia today at the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan.(Photo: Jojo Santo Tomas)

Ho advanced out of the round of 32 with a disqualification win against Shivam Sudesh Shetty of Indonesia before facing Uzbekistan’s Niyaz Pulatov. Ho said his opponent's superior reach was felt from the get-go and throughout the match. He lost on points, 22-2.

"I need to train harder and maybe next time I'll do better," he said.

Teammate Alexander Allen said Ho did pretty good.

“But this game is always changing. It's always a learning experience, all about creativity and we just gotta keep pushing," Allen said.